[shhrubbery!]

Part of the law about adverse possession in Arkansas has to do with the payment of property taxes. The neighbor hasn’t paid any of the taxes on the property so he can’t claim that as a reason.

Sadly for your friend, the neighbor doesn't have to have paid any taxes whatsoever on the property if he's claiming it under adverse possession.

However, tell your friend not to give up so easily! As I mentioned before, you friend may have a good case.

IF your friend can show the court he complained to the neighbor (the sheriff could be compelled to be your friend's witness) --AND that he did it before the neighbor had used the land for the period named by Arkansas law (either 15 or 7 years, depending on the kind of property)-- then the neighbor doesn't have a claim.

[seemoAR]

My friend talked to a lawyer last week. The lawyer brought up the tax issue. He said it does make a difference. He said to talk to the neighbor’s lawyer. Of course, the lawyer is unavailable. The law is too confusing for the average person to understand. It all breaks down to something like, it depends upon what “the meaning of the word IS is”.

No matter what happens, my friend is going to have to spend a lot of money and he doesn’t have it. The neighbor knows my friend is poor and can’t afford a legal fight. That is the way he will take over the land.